Rescuers respond to three calls of drivers trapped in high waters

 

Rescuers in Anderson County have responded to three calls of drivers trapped in high waters, authorities said Sunday.

There were no injuries reported, but the cars remained in the flooded areas, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said.

One of those rescue calls was on Airport Road just east of Oliver Springs. In that case, a man who called 911 at the Oliver Springs Police Department at about 9 p.m. Saturday was able to escape on his own through flood water reported to be chest-deep.

The other two rescue calls were on Mountain Road and Pumpkin Hollow Road in east Anderson County, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

Several Anderson County roads had high water or were flooded Sunday afternoon, Lucas said, and some were impassable.

There were also reports of downed trees or limbs, and two mudslides were reported, one on Briceville Highway and the other on Granite Road. The Anderson County Highway Department and the Tennessee Department of Transportation have been out clearing debris from roadways, Lucas said.

Rain is expected to continue, and flooded roads will remain for several days, Lucas said.

“Please remember to never drive through high water,” he said. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Rain this weekend led to several roads being closed in Oliver Springs, including Airport Road, Midway Drive, Strutt Street, and Bennett Road.

On Saturday, the National Weather Service in Morristown had forecast more than two inches of rain in the area between Saturday afternoon and Sunday night.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

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